Essendon will take veteran fullback Dustin Fletcher to Perth for Sunday's must-win AFL match against Fremantle.

But the Bombers have also named young key defender Darcy Daniher as an emergency for the Subiaco clash.

Fletcher sat out the second half of last Sunday's upset win over St Kilda with a hamstring injury.

Essendon have lost ruckman Patrick Ryder (knee) and Courtenay Dempsey (hamstring), but have recalled Jason Winderlich and Cale Hooker.

The Dockers have made three changes, bringing in Roger Hayden, Hayden Ballantyne and Clancee Pearce for Dean Solomon (knee), Brett Peake and Jay van Berlo.

A fortnight before the finals, third-placed Collingwood have included ruckman Josh Fraser for the MCG match against Sydney.

Fraser has been out of action for five weeks with a knee injury.

He replaces Chris Dawes and the Swans have also made one change.

Jared Crouch, who will retire at the end of the season, has come in for Luke Ablett (corked thigh).

St Kilda had already dropped midfielder Luke Ball and key defender Max Hudghton for their clash against North Melbourne this Sunday at Etihad Stadium.

They also left David Armitage out of their final team while recalling Clint Jones, Andrew McQualter and James Gwilt.

North have swung the axe, dropping Daniel Harris, Sam Power, Lindsay Thomas, Gavin Urquhart, Corey Jones and Daniel Pratt.

They have included Ed Lower, Josh Smith, Aaron Edwards, Cruize Garlett, Shannon Watt and newly promoted rookie Alan Obst.

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